The following is my statement of support for the Flood Wall Street activists who, after their arrest, refused a plea deal and moved forward with a necessity defense in the New York courts. This message was read to the defendants at their trial lunch break by Rev. Billy.

The Flood 11 represent the cutting edge of the climate justice movement, and they deserve our respect and support. As part of Flood Wall Street, their action highlighted the important systemic connections between capitalism, the corporate control of government, and the climate crisis. They helped focus national attention on the structural nature of a crisis that demands revolutionary structural changes. Their action used people power, creativity, music and beauty to nonviolently send the message that to truly combat climate change, we need to dismantle the power structures of oppression.

"It is especially encouraging that the #Flood11 did not let their civil disobedience end with a mere photo-op. They are taking their case to trial to continue demonstrating the necessity of drastic action to respond to the climate crisis. Since our corporate-controlled political leaders have failed to hold Wall Street and fossil fuel executives accountable in court for their “disorderly conduct” on a massive scale, the #Flood11 are risking their own security to force this issue into the courtroom. In a world where a tiny elite can prevent the solutions necessary to defend our civilization, there is nothing disorderly about committed nonviolent resistance to that economic and political injustice. The very necessary actions of the #Flood11 are an example to our movement, our leaders, and our society, and I hope more will follow in their footsteps.

"Keystone XL helped galvanize the national climate movement. But there are mini-Keystones all over – smaller pieces of less politically and environmentally significant infrastructure that are the foundation for a new rush on fossil fuels right here at home, including tar sands. Grassroots activists have taken notice, loudly opposing developments of all sizes and consequences."

Activist Tim DeChristopher speaks at the Massachussetts State House during the #DivestMA Global Divestment Day event on 2/12/15 organized by 350 Mass. For more on Global Divestment Day visit http://gofossilfree.org.

Show notesWe spend the hour with Tim DeChristopher who is most known for his action as “Bidder 70″ to stop the illegal sale of public lands for oil and gas. For that act he served 21 months in prison. DeChristopher continues to work on climate justice with front line groups and youth. He also works to support those who are preparing for nonviolent civil resistance and those who are going to trial or their actions. He is currently studying at Harvard Divinity School. We talk about climate justice, how to shift power, electoral politics and more.

The following videos are from talks delivered at the second annual "Our Children, Climate, Faith Symposium" in Strafford, Vermont, recorded August 2014. Accompanying descriptions are by the conference organizers.

Tim DeChristopher, climate activist and theology student, presenting a keynote speech at the second annual "Our Children, Climate, Faith Symposium" in Strafford, Vermont. Saturday morning, August 23, 2014. Tim inspired the documentary "Bidder 70" (bidder70.org) when he bid on and won oil and gas leases on federal land in Utah, and subsequently spent 2 years in Federal prison. The auction itself was later found to have been illegal, and the land was saved (for now). Tim founded "Peaceful Uprising,"a nonprofit collective committed to action to combat the climate crisis and build a just, healthy world. Tim is currently studying theology at Harvard Divinity School.

Starhawk gave the Keynote Speech for Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Second Annual "Our Children, Climate, Faith" Symposium in Strafford, Vermont. Starhawk is author of many works celebrating the Goddess movement and Earth-based, feminist spirituality…. a peace, environmental, and global justice activist and trainer, a permaculture designer and teacher, a Pagan and Witch. Visit her website at starhawk.org.

Tim speaks at a Divest Harvard rally on April 30th, 2014 in Cambridge, MA. The protesters blockade of the entrance to Massachusetts Hall, home to the offices of University President Drew G. Faust, led to an arrest early the next morning.

From the Lannan Foundation: Tim DeChristopher talked about his act of nonviolent civil disobedience in which he disrupted a government oil and gas lease auction in 2008 in order to protect fragile lands in southern Utah from long-term damage, an act that led to his imprisonment for 21 months. The talk was followed by a conversation with Terry Tempest Williams. He then traveled to Chicago and on September 27, 2013 continued the conversation with Terry Tempest Williams at the Chicago History Museum, the video of which may be found below.

Climate activist Tim DeChristopher was released last month from prison after interrupting a Bush era oil and drilling auction in 2008. Chris Hayes talks to DeChristopher about his experiences and upcoming film, Bidder 70.